Brisbane

Brisbane airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs

Take the Airtrain: about 20 minutes from Brisbane Airport to Central or Roma Street, roughly A$20 one way (2026 estimate), every 15–30 minutes. Choose a taxi or rideshare only if you are three or more with bags, arriving after midnight, or heading somewhere off the rail line — then budget A$50–70.

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Updated Sep 20264 min read

GuideBrisbane

Key facts

Best default: Airtrain to Central or Roma Street, about 20 minutes
Airtrain farecheck: About A$20 one way to the CBD (2026 estimate)
Airtrain frequency: Roughly every 15–30 minutes through the day; no overnight service
Taxi or ridesharecheck: A$50–70 to the CBD, 20–30 minutes off-peak (2026 estimate)
Terminals: Domestic and international are separate; both have Airtrain stations
Cheapest option: Public bus to a nearby hub, then a train or bus into town
Late-night arrival: Airtrain stops overnight; taxi, rideshare or a pre-booked transfer
Payment: go card or contactless card and phone on Airtrain and Brisbane buses

Options at a glance

Brisbane Airport (BNE) sits about 13 km northeast of the CBD. Two terminals — domestic and international — each have their own Airtrain station, and both are a short walk from arrivals. Everything below is a 2026 estimate; confirm live fares and timetables before you travel.

Options at a glance
Option	Time to CBD	Cost (2026 estimate)	Best for
Airtrain	About 20 min	About A$20 one way	Solo travellers, daytime arrivals, anyone near Central or Roma Street
Taxi	20–30 min off-peak	A$50–70	Three or more with luggage, door-to-door
Rideshare (Uber, DiDi)	20–30 min off-peak	A$45–65	Similar to taxi, usually slightly cheaper off-peak
Public bus + train	50–70 min	About A$5–10 total	Very tight budgets, daytime, light luggage
Pre-booked transfer	20–30 min	A$60–100	Families, late arrivals, fixed price
Hotel shuttle	Varies	A$15–30 per person	Hotels that run one; check before booking

Times are off-peak. The Gateway Motorway and Airport Drive slow sharply in the 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–18:30 peaks.

Airtrain: the default

Airtrain runs from both terminals into the city, stopping at Eagle Junction, Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, Central, Roma Street and South Brisbane before continuing to the Gold Coast. The trip to Central is about 20 minutes. Trains run roughly every 15–30 minutes through the day; the service pauses overnight, so a very late arrival needs a different plan.

Pay with a go card or by tapping a contactless bank card or phone. Fares are distance-based and the airport stations carry a premium over ordinary suburban trips, which is why the airport-to-CBD fare is higher than a normal zone trip. Buy at the station machines or tap through; there is no need to book ahead.

If you are staying in Fortitude Valley, Central or near Roma Street, the train drops you closer than a taxi can legally stop in some streets. For South Bank and West End, get off at South Brisbane and walk or take a short bus.

Taxi and rideshare

Taxis rank outside both terminals; rideshare pick-up zones are signposted a short walk away, and the app will tell you which bay. Off-peak the run to the CBD is 20–30 minutes; in peak traffic allow 40–50 minutes. Expect A$50–70 for a taxi and A$45–65 for a rideshare (2026 estimate), plus any tolls on the Gateway.

Rideshare is usually cheaper outside peak hours but can surge when a big flight lands or in heavy rain. Taxis are metered and regulated, and the rank is easier when you are tired or have no data. For three or more travellers with bags, either beats the train on cost per person.

Late at night, when Airtrain has stopped, taxi, rideshare or a pre-booked transfer are the only direct options. Book the transfer before you fly if you land after midnight.

The cheap route by bus

The lowest-cost way in is a public bus from the airport to a nearby transport hub, then a train or bus to the city. Routes and numbers change, so check the Translink journey planner on the day. The total is roughly A$5–10 and takes 50–70 minutes with a change.

This only makes sense in daylight with light luggage. It is not a good option for a first arrival at night, for families, or when you are carrying more than a backpack.

What it costs

All figures are 2026 estimates for one person unless stated. Fares and taxi meters change; treat these as planning bands, not quotes.

What it costs
Item	Cost (2026 estimate)
Airtrain, airport to Central	About A$20 one way
Taxi, airport to CBD	A$50–70
Rideshare, airport to CBD	A$45–65
Public bus plus train	About A$5–10
Pre-booked transfer	A$60–100
Hotel shuttle	A$15–30 per person

Peak-hour traffic and surge pricing push taxi and rideshare costs to the top of these bands.

Practical tips

Both terminals have Airtrain stations; check which one your flight uses before you buy a ticket.
Tap a contactless card or phone on Airtrain and Brisbane buses; a go card also works and is worth it for a longer stay.
Allow 40–50 minutes by road in the morning and evening peaks.
If you land after midnight, arrange a transfer in advance — Airtrain does not run overnight.
For South Bank or West End, South Brisbane station is often the closest stop.
Travelling on to the Gold Coast? Airtrain continues south from the airport through the city.
Check Translink for live timetables and any track closures on the day.

FAQ

Questions people ask

How do I get from Brisbane airport to the city centre?

Take the Airtrain from either terminal to Central or Roma Street, about 20 minutes and roughly A$20 one way (2026 estimate). Taxis and rideshares take 20–30 minutes off-peak for A$50–70. A bus plus train is the cheapest at about A$5–10 but takes 50–70 minutes.

How much is a taxi from Brisbane airport?

Expect A$50–70 to the CBD off-peak (2026 estimate), 20–30 minutes. Peak traffic can push it to 40–50 minutes and the top of the band. Rideshares are usually A$45–65 but surge when flights land together or in rain.

Is there a train from Brisbane airport?

Yes. Airtrain serves both the domestic and international terminals and runs to Central, Roma Street and South Brisbane in about 20 minutes, roughly every 15–30 minutes. It does not run overnight, so late arrivals need a taxi, rideshare or pre-booked transfer.

What is the cheapest way from Brisbane airport to the city?

A public bus to a nearby hub, then a train or bus into town, costs about A$5–10 total but takes 50–70 minutes with a change. It suits daytime arrivals with light luggage; check the Translink journey planner for current routes.

Can I use a contactless card on Brisbane transport?

Yes. Tap a contactless bank card or phone on Airtrain and Brisbane buses, or use a go card. Fares are distance-based and airport stations carry a premium over ordinary suburban trips.

Deep dive

Every source; changeable facts are marked check